Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the current position in respect of an application for part demolition, change of use, including 5 storey extension and addition of new floor to roof of industrial building to form 190 flats and erection of multi level development up to 9 storeys in 4 blocks, comprising 9 town houses and 150 flats with shop, car parking and landscaping

(report attached)

  Further to minute 222 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 8^th April 2010 where Panel considered a position statement on an application for part demolition, change of use, including 5 storey extension and addition of new floor to roof of former tannery to form 190 apartments and erection of multi-level development up to 7 storeys in 3 blocks, comprising 9 townhouses and 150 apartments with retail shop, car parking and landscaping with a related Conservation Area Consent for demolition of industrial buildings at Buslingthorpe Tannery Education Road Sheepscar, Members considered a further position statement

  Officers presented the report and advised the Panel that a smaller scheme was now being considered; that the footprint of the buildings had been reduced and that the family housing now comprised town houses with private gardens

  A total of 336 units was proposed with 160 car parking spaces although Officers were of the view that the amount of car parking might need to be increased

  The Panel considered that the scheme was an improvement on the previous proposals but concerns were raised at the possibility of overlooking to the town houses, the lack of car parking and the need for further information on the open space areas of the site

  In response to the specific issues raised in the report, the Panel made the following comments:

·  there were no concerns regarding the principle of residential development, including the mix of units

·  that Members were more satisfied at the proposed reduced heights of the buildings and that these were acceptable and appropriate to the character and appearance of the Buslingthorpe Conservation Area.  Members also considered that a marker building on the corner of the site could be higher but that any extra height would need to be offset by a well designed stylish building of quality.  A suggestion of the inclusion of community art was also made

·  Members did not wish to see a representative sample of some of the single storey shed buildings retained on site as requested by WYAAS.  On this matter the Panel was advised that full archaeological recording of the site could be conditioned

·  There was concern about the amount of car parking which might be provided and that target numbers for car parking were requested.  Officers stated car parking levels would depend upon the mix of units; that the parking would be unallocated and that ideally a level of 70% car parking for small flats would be provided

·  No details had been provided on the quality of the residential development, but there was concern at the amount and location of the amenity space provided and that the Council’s Nature Conservation Officer should be involved in the proposals for the open areas

·  Overall there remained concern about the amount of development being proposed, particularly if car parking levels needed to increase with a consequential impact on the provision of amenity areas within the site

·  Members did wish the applicant to enter into a Section 106 Agreement to secure a number of planning obligations despite the applicant’s viability issues.  The importance of ensuring communities benefited from development in their areas was stressed although there was some recognition that this might need to be looked at if the level of contributions required prevented the scheme from being implemented

RESOLVED -  To note the report and the comments now made